The Prime Minister is deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore. Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18am. He was 91.

Arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral proceedings will be announced later.

His doctors are continuing to monitor his condition, the statement added.

In a Feb 28 statement, the PMO said: “He remains sedated and on mechanical ventilation in the ICU at Singapore General Hospital. He is continuing with his antibiotics.”

Mr Lee, Singapore’s first Prime Minister, has been in hospital since Feb 5, when he was admitted for severe pneumonia. On Friday evening, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said he was told Mr Lee’s condition is “stable”.

Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew remains warded in the Intensive Care Unit at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday morning.

Mr Lee is still sedated and on mechanical ventilation, the statement said.

It added that Mr Lee’s doctors have restarted him on antibiotics, and are continuing to monitor him closely.

Mr Lee, 91, was admitted to SGH on Feb 5 with severe pneumonia. The PMO had said on Saturday that his condition was stable, although he remained in intensive care.

On Wednesday night, rumours flew on social media that Mr Lee had died, but government sources told The Straits Times that these were untrue.

Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has been hospitalized since early this month with severe pneumonia and remains in intensive care, though his condition has stabilized, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said Saturday.

Mr. Lee, 91, was admitted to Singapore General Hospital on Feb. 5 and is breathing with the assistance of a ventilator, the statement said.

“He is conscious and lightly sedated,” the statement said. “His doctors are continuing to monitor his condition.”

Singapore’s current prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong , who is Mr. Lee’s son, said on Twitter that he visited his father this morning “to wish him a happy Chinese New Year.”

The elder Mr. Lee has suffered recurrent ill health in recent years. He was hospitalized last Lunar New Year for an infection, fever and cough, and was also in hospital in Feb. 2013 with what was at the time described as a strokelike condition.

Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew joined Tanjong Pagar and Radin Mas residents for the annual Tree Planting Day on Sunday (Nov 2). It was Mr Lee who started the tree planting campaign in 1963 to promote a greener environment.

Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew paid a visit on Wednesday to The Battle For Merger exhibition at the National Library, which showcases 12 radio talks he gave in 1961 to convince Singaporeans of the need for merger with Malaya.

During his visit, Mr Lee praised the team who had put up the exhibition for their “thorough research” and for “presenting this key period for today’s audience”, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Sticking to his routine, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew spent part of his 91st birthday yesterday having his usual Chinese lessons.

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong wrote about it on his Facebook page, saying he had gone to Mr Lee’s office to wish him “Happy Birthday”.

Mr Lee was dressed smartly in a casual red jacket, and “looked well and sharp and spoke with a strong voice”, wrote Mr Goh, who had succeeded Mr Lee as PM.

“Unfortunately, he was having one of those hiccups triggered by some allergic irritations. Even then, he was getting ready for his Chinese lessons,” he said. “I cannot help but marvel at the spirit and fight of The Singapore Lion. More good years to you, Mr Lee.”